June 13, (THEWILL) – Despite the recent acquisition of its Air Transport Licence (ATL) from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCCA), there are indications that Nigeria Air may not take off in July 2022, as earlier proposed.
The National Carrier had been planned to start operations by July this year. The target, according to an insider source, was to bring in the first out of three wet-leased aircraft for the airline in June.
But so far, there is not much on ground to justify the possible take-off of the airline next month. In addition, its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), which will enable it to commence as a scheduled operator, is still being processed.
Before now, Nigeria Air had suffered numerous postponements. It was scheduled to begin operations last April, but the date was later shifted to July.
The airline, which was originally scheduled to commence operations in December 2018, could not start as planned due to the preparation towards the 2019 general election, while the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and its extension to 2021 further scuttled the commencement date.
However, a major breakthrough was recorded on Monday when the airline received the Air Transport Licence ATL from NCAA.
The Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu, who presented the certificate to interim management of Nigeria Air in Abuja, said that ATL was a prerequisite for the airline to acquire Air Operation Certificate (AOC) to start operating.
According to him, the NCAA works and supports all operators currently existing and aspiring in the industry to get necessary documents after meeting all the requirements.
“This ATL has gone through all the processes. So, at this point in time, I would like to do the presentation. We look forward to the fulfilment of the AOC process so that we can hand over the AOC certificate to you.
“As the regulator, we work with operators. That is a goal to promote the growth of the industry. It is important to have strong airlines in Nigeria in view of the Single African Transport Market.
“Also, in view of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, which can make a significant contribution to the growth of the Nigerian economy, “he said.
Nuhu said Nigeria stood to get the best from the AU Agenda 2063 Air programme being one of the largest markets in Africa.
He said participating in the Single Africa Air Transport Market as a nation would increase Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Responding, the Acting Chief Executive Nigeria Air, Mr Dapo Olumide, thanked the NCAA for the good job executed, leading to presenting ATL to Nigeria Air.
Olumide said the team would definitely double efforts in order to fulfil all necessary processes to receive AOC certificate from NCAA to start flying.
“We already have aircraft identified because that is one of the requirements for the NCAA. We are waiting for the terms of agreement with the Provider of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
“What we need now is to go through stages to get an AOC certificate from the NCAA. No magic in the process. It is not something that can be issued because they like your face.
“When you have an AOC and ATL, you can commence commercial scheduled operations. The date to start operation is largely based on the process one is following to get the AOC certificate,“ he said.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that the Federal Government still retained its 5 per cent stake in the airline and the other 95 per cent is reserved for consortiums of local and foreign investors.
Forty-nine per cent of the investment would go to foreign partners, while the remaining 46 per cent would be for other indigenous private investors.
Also, it was learnt that at least 7,000 jobs would be created by the airline between five to 10 years. The 7,000 jobs, it was gathered, would be created through the airline, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility and aircraft leasing companies, which are also in the pipeline.
It would be recalled that Capt. Dapo Olumide, the former Managing Director of Virgin Nigeria Airways, was recently named the Interim Managing Director of Nigeria Air by the Federal Government.
Olumide was given the mandate to carry out the processes and procedures for the registration of the new airline, including securing its AOC from the NCAA.
About the Author
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
